Mallams

Group of 18 lots sets a new level of demand and prices as recent trends drive strong interest

Many of the lots in an Oxford sale of February 23 formed part of the estate of Canadian linguistic and literary scholar, the late ‘Paddy’ Docker-Drysdale.

Bidders backing their judgment sent two lots to 20-times estimates at Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) jewellery and silver sale

A versatile painter in a variety of mediums, Anna Airy (1882- 1964) was considered by some to be among the most gifted artists of her day.

Mallams is selling a collection of around 30 watercolours by the British natural history illustrator and painter, Sarah Stone (c.1760-1844).

A significant collection of works by George Bissill (1896-1973), the Derbyshire miner who enjoyed some fleeting success as an artist in the 1920s-30s but who later died largely forgotten, emerged recently at Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) in Oxford.

The outstanding jade offered in the regions in the October-December period was this pale celadon teapot and cover that came for sale at Duke’s in Dorchester on December 8 from a Dutch private collection where it had been since the 1980s.

Few painters on the Danish art scene in the late 19th century felt a close affinity with contemporary English art. Symbolist painter Agnes Slott-Møller (1862-1937) was among the exceptions.

The Spanish woollen rug illustrated here was pitched at £100-200 in Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) Abingdon rooms on October 18.

Top lot in a sale held by Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) of Oxford was a 1719-20, first edition set of 'The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe…', 'The Farther Adventures…' and 'The Serious Reflections…' in later but very smart bindings of red morocco gilt by Francis Bedford of London.

This 7½in (19cm) Japanese wood netsuke shows the standing figure of Ashinaga with his arms outstretched.

This Ming period bronze weight comes in the form of a recumbent mythical beast.

A Maori hei-tiki pendant offered in Cheltenham on September 16 had an old paper label verso stating that it originally belonged to Makoare Te Taonui.

The English painter and engraver Bernard Kay (1927-2021) became an established name in the 1950s-60s British art scene but he has never had much of an auction presence.

As 1980s rocker Shakin’ Stevens once sang: ‘Green Door, what’s that secret you’re keeping?’

Samplers made by siblings or generations of the same family can attract a significant commercial premium.

Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Asian art sale was topped at £27,000 (estimate £3000-5000) by a Qing jade double gourd form snuff bottle.

Mallams’ (25% buyer’s premium) Jewellery, Watches and Silver sale included this Commonwealth silver wine goblet.

The Home and Garden sale at Mallams in Abingdon on July 5 includes a range of affordable furnishings from a range of properties in the Thames Valley region.

Consignments held back during the restrictions are now impressing in salerooms, as recent auction results show